2020-2021 Season

Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations is a study in the friends with whom we surround ourselves, and who, in their reflections, show us who we are.  This work is a series of 13 variations on the original tune that represents Elgar, shifting especially in character, mood, and color, to reflect the salient personality trait of each of his friends, who remain mysteriously unnamed. The finale is a kind of round-table banquet with them all gathered, cheering on Elgar, and reminding him—and us—of the power of our human bonds. Join Music Director and Conductor, Dr. Jed Gaylin (Peabody ’95), as we watch the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra’s performance with pauses in the music to discuss the work and performance considerations. This program will be presented on Zoom. A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance of the program.

Please, join us for Part II in the series, Symphonie Fantastique: Pipe Dreams and Obsessions, on Thursday, October 15th, and for Part III, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: A Choral Symphony Discussed, on Monday, November 9th. Please, register for each program individually.

Got to https://events.jhu.edu/form/HSO1 to register.

Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique is a piece both of its time yet timeless. Revolutionary in structure, scope, color, and story line, the work comes on the heels of the Napoleonic regime in a turbulent country. The piece is obsessive, outrageous, scary, and fun.  Join Music Director and Conductor, Dr. Jed Gaylin (Peabody ’95), as we watch the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra’s performance and pause between movements to discuss the work and performance considerations. This program will be presented on Zoom. A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance of the program.

Please, join us for Part I in the series, Elgar’s Enigma Variations: On Friendship and Being Connected, on Thursday, September 24th, and for Part III, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: A Choral Symphony Discussed, on Monday, November 9th. Please, register for each program individually.

Got to https://events.jhu.edu/form/HSO1 to register.

There is no piece like Ludwig von Beethoven’s 9th. Its scope is cosmic and its message earth shakingly optimistic. First performed in Vienna on May 7, 1824, the symphony is regarded by many critics and musicologists as Beethoven’s greatest work and one of the supreme achievements in the history of music. WBJC radio personality, Jonathan Palevsky, joins Hopkins Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Jed Gaylin, as as we watch video of the all-encompassing finale, pausing to discuss musical techniques and text in this still every surprising miracle of music. This program will be presented on Zoom. A Zoom link will be provided to registrants in advance of the program.

Please, join us for Part I in the series, Elgar’s Enigma Variations: On Friendship and Being Connected, on Thursday, September 24th, and for Part II, Symphonie Fantastique: Pipe Dreams and Obsessions, on Thursday, October 15th. Please, register for each program individually.

Got to https://events.jhu.edu/form/HSO1 to register.

Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story show each of these composers at their melodic and dramatic best. The tale, predating Shakespeare, of “star-crossed lovers” caught in the throes of vengeful violence is unfortunately as modern now as ever.  Gerrad Alex Taylor (Chesapeake Shakespeare Co.) and Jed Gaylin (HSO) will discuss these works in the context of Shakespeare and watch HSO’s performance from December 2014. This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.

Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
March 3rd – Exquisite Revolution: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto 
April 7th – Bloodlust: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring 
May 19th – Powerful Works of Our Time: Sanchez-Guitierrez’s Girando Danzando and Dusman’s What Remains

Please, register for each program individually.

Mendelssohn is erroneously known as a conservative composer. Yet, his orchestral works such as this concerto, or the “Italian” Symphony, Midsummer Night’s Dream, or The Hebrides burst with imagination in effect, form, and feel. Jed Gaylin (HSO) and Amy Beth Horman (violinist) will discuss the violin concerto and watch HSO’s performance with Ms. Horman from December 2014. This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.

Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
February 3rd – Star-Crossed: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story 
April 7th – Bloodlust: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring 
May 19th – Powerful Works of Our Time: Sanchez-Guitierrez’s Girando Danzando and Dusman’s What Remains

Please, register for each program individually.

In contrast to the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto of our last presentation, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was blatantly––perhaps, even calculatedly––revolutionary. It depicts human sacrifice, if self-inflicted. From its set, costumes, choreography, and maybe, most of all, its music, this work screams for attention, and has never lacked it since its 1913 premiere in Paris.  We will watch and discuss a video of the full ballet, hosted by Jed Gaylin and Lisa Green-Cudek (dancer, choreographer, dance historian).  This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.

Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
February 3rd – Star-Crossed: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story 
March 3rd – Exquisite Revolution: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto 
May 19th – Powerful Works of Our Time: Sanchez-Guitierrez’s Girando Danzando and Dusman’s What Remains

Please, register for each program individually..

These dramatic 21st century works both explore the orchestral tonal palette with great imagination and strength. Edginess in each is offset by great intimacy. Yet they have a completely contrasting hues and melodic invention.  Composers Linda Dusman and Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez join us for a discussion of these pieces and their creative approach.  We will watch the HSO October 2019 performance of What Remains and the March 2017 performance of Girando Danzando. This program will be presented on Zoom. A link will be shared with registrants in advance of the program.

Don’t miss our other programs in our series of Evenings with the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra!
February 3rd – Star-Crossed: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
March 3rd – Exquisite Revolution:  Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto 
April 7th – Bloodlust: Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring 

Please, register for each program individually.